Subaru 2012 Forester User manual

2012
Forester
Quick Reference Guide

Complete U.S. specications and illustrations may
not have been available at time of publication.
Specications are based on the latest product
information available at time of publication. Some
images shown are for illustration purposes only.
Some equipment shown may be optional at
extra cost. Specic options may be available
only in combination with other options. Specic
combinations of equipment or features may vary
from time to time and by geographic area. Certain
accessories and equipment may not be available at
the time of publication.
This Quick Reference Guide applies to all Forester
models. Therefore, some explanations may be for
equipment not installed on your vehicle. Subaru
of America, Inc., reserves the right to change or
discontinue at any time, without notice, prices,
colors, materials, equipment, accessories,
specications, models and packages without
incurring any obligation to make the same or
similar changes on vehicles previously sold. Colors
shown may vary due to reproduction process.
For detailed operating and safety information,
please consult the Owner’s Manual.
Subaru, Outback, Legacy, Forester, Impreza,
WRX, WRX/STI, BOXER, SI-DRIVE, Lineartronic,
Alcantara, Circle Surround, HD Radio, XM and Sirius
are registered trademarks.
All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted or
electronically reproduced in whole or in part without
prior written approval of Subaru of America, Inc.
© 2011 Subaru of America, Inc.

Table of Contents
Getting Started
Instrument Panel
Gauges
Personalize
Controls
While Operating
Safety/In Case of Emergency
Additional Information
2 - 3
4 - 5
6 - 9
10 - 11
12 - 27
28 - 29
30 - 31
32 - 33

2
Remote Keyless Entry
Lock/Arm
t1SFTTUPMPDLBMMEPPSTBOE
rear gate.
t*GBOZPGUIFEPPSTPSUIFSFBS
gate are not fully closed, an
electronic chirp will sound ve
times and the hazard lights will
ash ve times to alert you that
the doors or the rear gate are
not properly closed.
 t5PBDUJWBUFUIFWFIJDMFýOEFS
function, press three times
(within ve seconds). If you are
within 30 feet of the vehicle,
the horn will sound one time
and the hazard lights will ash
three times.
Unlock/Disarm
t1SFTTPODFUPVOMPDLUIF
driver’s door.
t1SFTTUXJDFXJUIJOýWF
seconds) to unlock all doors.
 t8IFOUIFi6OMPDL%JTBSNw
button is pressed, the dome
and map lights will illuminate
if the dome light switch is in
the middle position.
Unlocking the
Rear Gate
Press the button to unlock
the rear gate.

3
Getting
Started
Instrument
Panel
Gauges Personalize Controls While
Operating
Safety / In Case
of Emergency
Additional
Information
3
Getting
Started
Seating
10-Way Power Driver’s Seat
(if equipped)
1. Forward/Backward, Angle and Height
Move the switch toward the front or rear to move
the seat forward or backward. Pull the switch up
or push down on the front of the switch to adjust
the angle of the seat cushion. Pulling the switch
straight up or pushing the switch straight down
will adjust the height of the entire seat cushion.
2. Seatback
Move the switch in the corresponding direction
to adjust the angle of the seatback.
3. Lumbar Support
Press the front part of the switch to increase
lumbar support; press the rear part of the switch
to decrease lumbar support.
Heated Seats
(if equipped)
Press the switch in the
corresponding direction for
the desired seat temperature.
To turn off the seat heater,
slightly press in the opposite
direction of the current position.
Folding the
Rear Seat
Lower the headrests. Pull up on
the release knob on the seat side
that you want to fold down. To
return the seatback to its original
position, raise the seatback until
it locks into place making sure
that it is securely locked.
1
2
3
Ins
I
tru
m
e
n
t
Panel
Gau
G
ges
Per
P
son
ali
li
z
e
Con
C
tro
t
ls
l
Whi
Whi
le
l
Operating
Saf
Sf
ety
t
/
/
In
I
Cas
C
e
of Emergency
Add
Add
iti
ii
o
n
a
l
l
Information
3
3
Get
tin
g
Get
ting
S
tarte
d
Started
mo
v
e
h
up
d
jus
t
t
ch
w
n
o
n.
o
n
w
itc
h
Getting
Started

4
Instrument Panel
pg. 12 pg. 6-9 pg. 27pg. 28pg. 10 pg. 26pg. 12

5
Getting
Started
Instrument
Panel
Gauges Personalize Controls While
Operating
Safety / In Case
of Emergency
Additional
Information
5
Get
Gt
tin
ti
g
S
tarte
d
Ins
tru
m
e
n
t
Panel
Gau
G
ges
Per
P
son
ali
li
z
e
Con
C
tro
t
ls
l
Whi
Whi
le
l
Operating
Saf
Sf
ety
t
/
/
In
I
Cas
C
e
of Emergency
Add
Add
iti
ii
o
n
a
l
l
Information
5
5
pg. 14-19 pg. 20-25pg. 13
Clock
1SFTTUIFiwCVUUPOUPBEWBODFUJNFPSUIF
iowCVUUPOUPSFWFSTFUIFUJNF7FIJDMFTXJUIB
navigation system please refer to the separate
i0QFSBUJOH*OTUSVDUJPOTGPS/BWJHBUJPO4ZTUFNw
Instrument
Panel

Speedometer
Forester 2.5X
Forester 2.5X Premium
Forester 2.5X Limited
Tachometer
6
Gauges Immediate Attention Caution Informational
Seatbelt warning
Front passenger
seatbelt warning
SRS airbag system
Security indicator light
Door open
Charge warning
Oil pressure warning
Brake system
Hot coolant temperature /
Cold coolant temperature
High beam indicator light
AT OIL TEMP
(Automatic Transmission)
ABS warning
Low fuel
All-Wheel Drive
(Automatic Transmission)

Trip meter A/B selection and trip meter reset knob
Trip meter and odometer
Fuel Gauge
7
Getting
Started
Instrument
Panel
Gauges Personalize Controls While
Operating
Safety / In Case
of Emergency
Additional
Information
7
Get
Gt
tin
ti
g
S
tarte
d
Ins
I
tru
m
e
n
t
Panel
Gauges
Per
P
son
ali
li
z
e
Con
C
tro
t
ls
l
Whi
Whi
le
l
Operating
Saf
Sf
ety
t
/
/
In
I
Cas
C
e
of Emergency
Add
Add
iti
ii
o
n
a
l
l
Information
Gauges
Vehicle Dynamics
Control/Vehicle Dynamics
Control operation
Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF
$)&$,&/(*/&
Malfunction indicator
Tire pressure warning light
'SPOUQBTTFOHFSBJSCBH0/
Front passenger airbag OFF
Incline Start Assist warning
(Manual Transmission)
Turn signals
Front fog light indicator
light (if equipped)
Headlight indicator light
SPORT mode
(Automatic Transmission)
Cruise control
indicator light
Cruise control set
indicator light

8
Gauges Immediate Attention
Trip meter A/B selection and trip
meter reset knob
Temperature Gauge
Tachometer
Fuel Gauge
Caution Informational
Seatbelt warning
Front passenger
seatbelt warning
SRS airbag system
Security indicator light
Door open
Charge warning
Oil pressure warning
Brake system
High beam indicator light
Automatic headlight beam
leveler warning
AT OIL TEMP
(Automatic Transmission)
ABS warning
Low fuel
All-Wheel Drive
(Automatic Transmission)
Forester 2.5X Touring
Forester 2.5XT Touring

9
Getting
Started
Instrument
Panel
Gauges Personalize Controls While
Operating
Safety / In Case
of Emergency
Additional
Information
9
Get
Gt
tin
ti
g
S
tarte
d
Ins
I
tru
m
e
n
t
Panel
Gauges
Per
P
son
ali
li
z
e
Con
C
tro
t
ls
l
Whi
Whi
le
l
Operating
Saf
Sf
ety
t
/
/
In
I
Cas
C
e
of Emergency
Add
Add
iti
ii
o
n
a
l
l
Information
Gauges
Trip meter and odometer Speedometer
ECO Gauge
Information display
switching knob
Vehicle Dynamics
Control/Vehicle Dynamics
Control operation
Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF
$)&$,&/(*/&
Malfunction indicator
Tire pressure warning light
'SPOUQBTTFOHFSBJSCBH0/
Front passenger airbag OFF
Incline Start Assist warning
(Manual Transmission)
Turn signals
Front fog light indicator
light (if equipped)
Headlight indicator light
SPORT mode
(Automatic Transmission)
Cruise control
indicator light
Cruise control set
indicator light

10
Personalize
Tilt and Telescopic
Steering Column
Push the lever down rmly to adjust the height
and lengthwise position of the column; rmly
push the lever back up to lock the column in
place. Do not adjust while driving.
Power Exterior Mirrors
1VTIUIFNJSSPSTFMFDUJPOTXJUDIUPUIFi-w
TJEFUPBEKVTUUIFMFGUIBOENJSSPSPSUPUIFi3w
side to adjust the right-hand mirror. Push and
hold the direction mirror control switch in the
direction you want to move the mirror. Push
the mirror selection switch back to the middle
to prevent unintended operation.

11
Getting
Started
Instrument
Panel
Gauges Personalize Controls While
Operating
Safety / In Case
of Emergency
Additional
Information
11
Get
Gt
tin
ti
g
S
tarte
d
Ins
I
tru
m
e
n
t
Panel
Gau
G
ges
P
ersonaliz
e
Con
C
tro
t
ls
l
Whi
Whi
le
l
Operating
Saf
Sf
ety
t
/
/
In
I
Cas
C
e
of Emergency
Add
Add
iti
ii
o
n
a
l
l
Information
Personalize
Power Moonroof (if equipped)
With the moonroof in the fully closed
position, press the switch 1to fully open the
moonroof. Press the switch 2to close the
moonroof. To stop the moonroof in a midway
position while opening or closing, momentarily
press the switch to the 1side or 2side.
1
2

12
Controls
While the light switch is
on, rotate the dial downward
to dim the instrument panel
illumination. Rotate the
dial upward to make the
illumination brighter. When the
dial is fully rotated upward, the
instrument panel illumination
becomes full bright.
Light Controls
Turns on instrument panel lights,
tail lights, parking lights and license
plate lights.
Turns on headlights,
instrument panel
illumination, parking
lights, taillights and
license plate lights.
Turns on
fog lights
(if equipped).
Push up for right
turn signal.
Push down for
left turn signal.

13
Getting
Started
Instrument
Panel
Gauges Personalize Controls While
Operating
Safety / In Case
of Emergency
Additional
Information
13
Get
Gt
tin
ti
g
S
tarte
d
Ins
I
tru
m
e
n
t
Panel
Gau
G
ges
Per
P
son
ali
li
z
e
Con
trols
Whi
Whi
le
l
Operating
Saf
Sf
ety
t
/
/
In
I
Cas
C
e
of Emergency
Add
Add
iti
ii
o
n
a
l
l
Information
Controls
Windshield Wipers
To turn on the wipers, press the wiper control lever down
one level for intermittent, two levels for low, or three levels for
IJHITQFFE3FUVSOUIFMFWFSUPUIFi0''wQPTJUJPOUPTUPQ
the wipers. For a single wipe move the lever up. To spray
washer uid, pull and hold the lever toward you.
To operate the rear wiper, rotate the end of the knob upward
to the intermittent, continuous, or wash position. When the
rear wiper is off, rotate the knob downward to wash and
wipe the rear window.
Daytime Running Lights
Daytime running lights are standard on your vehicle. Only a
reduced brightness high beam will be automatically turned
on when the engine has started and the parking brake is
GVMMZSFMFBTFEBOEUIFMJHIUTXJUDIJTJOUIFi0''wPSi w
position. The brightness of the illumination of the high beam
headlights is reduced by the daytime running light system.
You must always switch on your headlights when it’s dark
outside by turning the light switch to the position.
1
2
3
INT.
LOW
HIGH
OFF

14
Controls
Manual Climate Control
(if equipped)
1. Temperature Control Dial
Rotate the temperature control dial from
blue for cool, to red for warm.
2. Air Conditioning Button
1SFTTUIFi"$wCVUUPOUPBDUJWBUFUIF 
air conditioning. Press it again to turn off
the air conditioning.
3. Recirculated / Outside Air Button
Press the air inlet selection button to
prevent outside air from being drawn into
the passenger compartment. If the button
is pushed in, press it again to draw outside
BJSJOUPUIFDPNQBSUNFOU5013&7&/5
8*/%4)*&-%'0((*/(%0/05
3&."*/*/5)&3&$*3$6-"5&%.0%&
'03"/&95&/%&%1&3*0%0'5*.&
4. Fan Speed Control Dial
Rotate the fan speed control dial to select
one of four fan speeds.
5
6

15
Getting
Started
Instrument
Panel
Gauges Personalize Controls While
Operating
Safety / In Case
of Emergency
Additional
Information
15
Get
Gt
tin
ti
g
S
tarte
d
Ins
I
tru
m
e
n
t
Panel
Gau
G
ges
Per
P
son
ali
li
z
e
Con
trols
Whi
Whi
le
l
Operating
Saf
Sf
ety
t
/
/
In
I
Cas
C
e
of Emergency
Add
Add
iti
ii
o
n
a
l
l
Information
Controls
5. Rear Window Defogger Button
Press the rear window defogger button
to turn on the defogger. The defogger
will automatically shut off after about
15 minutes. If the window clears
before that time, you can press the
button again to turn it off.
6. Air Flow Control Dial
The air ow control dial allows you to
choose the direction of air ow. Rotate
the dial for the desired air ow position.
Defrost / Defog
To clear the windshield and front door
windows of fog or frost, rotate the air
ow control dial to the defrost position,
set the temperature control to the red
position, and set the fan speed control
to the fastest speed.
1
23
4

16
Controls
1
2
35
Automatic Climate Control
(if equipped)
1. Air Flow Control Dial
On the automatic setting, the system
determines the air ow location to achieve
the desired temperature or you can manually
choose the direction of air ow. Rotate the
dial for the desired air ow position.
Defrost / Defog
To clear the windshield and front door
windows of fog or frost, rotate the air ow
control dial to the defrost position, set the
temperature control to the red position,
and set the fan speed control of the
fastest speed.
2. Rear Window Defogger Button
Press the rear window defogger button
to turn on the defogger. The defogger
will automatically shut off after about 15
minutes. If the window clears before that
time, you can press the button again to
turn it off.
3. Fan Speed Control Dial
On the automatic setting, the system
determines the fan speed to achieve the
desired temperature or you can manually
rotate the fan speed control dial to select
one of seven fan speeds.

17
Getting
Started
Instrument
Panel
Gauges Personalize Controls While
Operating
Safety / In Case
of Emergency
Additional
Information
17
Get
Gt
tin
ti
g
S
tarte
d
Ins
I
tru
m
e
n
t
Panel
Gau
G
ges
Per
P
son
ali
li
z
e
Con
trols
Whi
Whi
le
l
Operating
Saf
Sf
ety
t
/
/
In
I
Cas
C
e
of Emergency
Add
Add
iti
ii
o
n
a
l
l
Information
Controls
8
4. Air Conditioning Button
1SFTTUIFi"$wCVUUPOUPBDUJWBUFUIF
air conditioning. Press it again to turn
off the air conditioning.
5. Recirculated / Outside Air Button
In the automatic mode, the system
will determine if recirculated air
is needed to achieve a desired
temperature. In manual mode,
press the air inlet selection button to
prevent outside air from being drawn
into the passenger compartment.
If the button is pushed in, press
it again to draw outside air into
UIFDPNQBSUNFOU5013&7&/5
8*/%4)*&-%'0((*/(%0/05
3&."*/*/5)&3&$*3$6-"5&%
.0%&'03"/&95&/%&%1&3*0%
OF TIME.
6. Temperature Control Dial
Rotate the temperature control dial
from 65 for cool to 85 for warm.
6

Automatic Climate Control
(if equipped)
1. Automatic On and Off
This system automatically controls
outlet air temperature, fan speed, air
ow distribution, air inlet control, and air
conditioner compressor operation. Press
i"650wUPBDUJWBUF1SFTTi0''wUPUVSO
off the system.
2. Temperature Control Dial
Rotate the dial clockwise to increase the
temperature or rotate the dial clockwise
to decrease the temperature and maintain
a comfortable climate within the driver
and passenger compartment. The
temperature is displayed digitally on
the screen. Separate temperature
settings can be adjusted for the driver’s
side and passenger’s side.
Operation in Manual Mode
3. Recirculated / Outside Air Button
Press the air inlet selection button to
prevent outside air from being drawn
into the passenger compartment. Press
the button again to allow outside air
JOUPUIFDPNQBSUNFOU5013&7&/5
8*/%4)*&-%'0((*/(%0/05
3&."*/*/5)&3&$*3$6-"5&%.0%&
'03"/&95&/%&%1&3*0%0'5*.&
18
Controls
1
2
34
6